Methods and apparatus for estimating citizens broadband radio service network coverage

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for estimating a Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device&#39;s (CBSD&#39;s) coverage area using user equipment (UE) timing advance and/or power headroom information and allocating resources based on the estimate. In an exemplary method embodiment a Spectrum Access System: (i) receives, from a CBSD, user equipment (UE) information including at least one of timing advance or power headroom information for one or more UEs in communication with the CBSD; (ii) estimates, based on the received first UE information, a first CBSD coverage area; and (iii) makes a first resource allocation to the CBSD based on the estimated CBSD coverage area, the first resource allocation including an allocation of at least one of a frequency bandwidth allocation or transmission power allocation to the CBSD.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/016,579 filed on Jun. 23, 2019 which is hereby expresslyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for estimatingCitizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network coverage. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus forestimating a Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device's CBRS networkcoverage using Power Headroom and Timing Advance information. Thepresent invention further relates to methods and apparatus forallocating resources based on one or more estimates of a CitizensBroadband Radio Service Device's CBRS network coverage using PowerHeadroom and Timing Advance information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network, Citizens BroadbandRadio Service Devices (CBSDs) serve as access points which can supportwireless communications with user equipment devices (UEs).

A CBRS network often includes one or more Citizens Broadband RadioService Devices (CBSDs) with relatively small coverage areas as comparedto a macro base station or access point. The CBSDs are used to provideservices to subscribers' user equipment devices. Spectrum is granted toeach of the CBSDs using a centralized system called the Spectrum AccessSystem (SAS), The Spectrum Access System is a central processing anddatabase system that receives and processes spectrum grant requests. Inthe CBRS network, interference is managed through power management ofCBSD devices by the Spectrum Access System (SAS). The SAS storesinformation regarding which CBSD uses how much spectrum at whichlocation in the CBRS network. When a specific amount of spectrum isgranted to a particular CBSD with a specific transmission power, the SAScalculates the coverage of this CBSD by using a pre-determined path-lossmodel. Each SAS provider is free to use a path-loss model that fitsitself the best, therefore there is at least 7-10 dB in calculatedcoverage using different path-loss models. There is currently atechnological problem in how to accurately estimate a CBSD's coverageand thereby efficiently allocate resources, e.g., frequency bandwidthallocations and/or power transmission allocations, that efficiently andeffectively utilize the limited frequency spectrum available to the CBRSnetwork. One of the important objectives of the FCC is to utilize theavailable frequency spectrum in the CBRS network as efficiently andeffectively as possible.

From the above it should be understood that there is a need for newand/or improved methods and apparatus for more accurately estimating aCitizens Broadband Radio Service Device's coverage area and reducing thedifferences in CBSD coverage estimations by the CBRS Spectrum AccessSystem. Additionally, there is a need for new and/or improved methodsand apparatus for efficiently managing CBSD power transmission levels toreduce electromagnetic interference while optimizing CBSD devicescoverage area using more accurate estimates for a CBSD's coverage area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods, apparatus and systems foraccurately estimating one or more CBSD's coverage area in a CBRS networkand allocating resources, e.g., frequency bandwidth and powertransmission levels, in accordance with those estimates. Variousembodiments of the present invention solve one or more of the problemsdiscussed above.

Timing advance is a parameter used to control the time at which awireless terminal transmits so that signals transmitted by differentterminals are received in a synchronized manner in one or more timeslots used by a base station for example CBSD device in a CBRS network.The timing advance normally corresponds to a distance from the basestation to which signals are being transmitted. For example, the timingadvance of wireless terminals further from a base station can becontrolled so that the more distant wireless terminals transmit soonerthan the closer wireless terminals. In such a case the signals from theterminals far from the base station and near the base station willarrive at approximately the same time thus limiting interference to thebase station which might otherwise occur if the signals from differentwireless terminals were received in a non-synchronized manner.

Power headroom is a term used to describe information about how much, ifany, transmission power increase is possible at a wireless terminal. Thepower headroom for terminals closer to a base station, e.g., CBSD devicein a CBRS network, is normally greater than wireless terminals furtherfrom a base station since it is normally possible for a nearby terminalto communicate successfully with a base station using a lowertransmission power than the wireless terminal's maximum transmissionpower. In some systems, wireless terminals report power headroominformation to the base station with which it is communicating.

Various embodiments of the present invention utilize user equipmentdevice timing advance and power headroom information corresponding touser equipment devices in communication with a CBSD to estimate theCBSD's coverage area and make and implement the allocation of resourcesbased on the estimated CBSD's coverage area.

By using one or more of the techniques described herein a CitizensBroadband Radio Service Device coverage range can be more accuratelyestimated than previous known methods allowing for more efficientmanagement and usage of the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS)network's spectrum an important objective of the United States FederalCommunications Commission (FCC). More efficient management and usage ofthe CBRS network spectrum including more efficient allocations ofresources, e.g., frequency bandwidth allocations and/or powertransmission allocations, based on the more accurate estimates of one ormore CBSDs coverage area results in, among other things, improved userequipment device network coverage while also minimizing electromagneticinterference in the CBRS network.

An exemplary method embodiment of present invention includes operating aSpectrum Access System (SAS) to receive, from a first Citizens BroadbandRadio Service Device (CBSD), first user equipment (UE) informationincluding at least one of timing advance or power headroom informationfor one or more UEs using and/or in communication with, said first CBSD;estimating, based on the received first UE information, a first CBSDcoverage area; and making a first resource allocation to the first CBSDbased on the estimated first CBSD coverage area, said first resourceallocation including an allocation of at least one of a frequencybandwidth allocation or transmission power allocation to the first CBSD.In some embodiments, the method further includes the step ofcommunicating the resource allocation to the first CBSD.

In some embodiments of the present invention, prior to the method stepof estimating the first CBSD coverage area, the SAS is operated toidentify at the first CBSD the UE with the largest timing advance. Themethod may and typically does further include the step of determining ifthe UE at the first CBSD having the largest timing advance also has thelowest power headroom of the UEs for which power headroom information isprovided in said first UE information.

In some method embodiments of the present invention the step ofestimating, based on the received first UE information, the first CBSDcoverage area includes, when the first CBSD having the largest timingadvance also has the lowest power headroom of the UEs for which powerheadroom information is provided, using the timing advance of the UEwith the largest timing advance to estimate the first CBSD coveragearea.

In some method embodiments of the present invention, the step ofestimating, based on the received first UE information, the first CBSDcoverage area includes, when the first CBSD having the largest timingadvance also has the lowest power headroom of the UEs for which powerheadroom information is provided, taking into consideration the lowestpower headroom information, in addition to the largest timing advance,when determining the first CBSD coverage area (e.g., if there isremaining power headroom that can be taken into consideration todetermine that the coverage area of the first CBSD is larger than whatwould be indicated by simply the largest timing advance was used).

In some embodiments, the SAS in response to determining the UE incommunication with first CBSD having the largest timing advance does notalso have the lowest power headroom, processes the UE informationreceived from the first CBSD corresponding to multiple UEs to determineat least one of a timing advance or power headroom value to be used indetermining the coverage area of the first CBSD. The processing of theUE information received from the first CBSD corresponding to multipleUEs to determine at least one of a timing advance or power headroomvalue to be used in determining the coverage area of the first CBSD, mayand in some embodiments does, include performing at least one ofdetermining an average timing advance (TA) for UEs using or incommunication with the first CBSD or determining an average powerheadroom for UEs using or in communication with the first CBSD. The TAsof UEs using and/or in communication with the first CBSD having a TAwithin a determined range of the average TA may be, and in someembodiments are, used in determining the coverage area of the first CBSD(e.g., based on the standard deviation of the TA values of UEs using orin communication with the first CBSD).

Some embodiments of the present invention further include the steps of:receiving, from a second CBSD, second user equipment (UE) informationincluding at least one of timing advance or power headroom informationfor one or more UEs using or in communication with said second CBSD;estimating, based on the received second UE information, a second CBSDcoverage area; and making a second resource allocation to the secondCBSD based on the estimated first CBSD coverage area and the estimatedsecond CBSD coverage area, said second resource allocation including anallocation of at least one of a frequency allocation or power allocationto the first CBSD.

The present invention is applicable to apparatus and system embodimentswherein one or more devices implement the steps of the methodembodiments. In some apparatus embodiments each of the CBSDs, userequipment devices, SAS devices and each of the other apparatus/devicesof the system include one or more processors and/or hardware circuitry,input/output interfaces including receivers and transmitters, and amemory. The memory including instructions when executed by one or moreof the processors control the apparatus/device of the system to operateto perform the steps of various method embodiments of the invention.

The present invention is also applicable to and includes apparatus andsystems such as for example, apparatus and systems that implement thesteps of the method embodiments. For example, a Spectrum Access System(SAS) in accordance with one embodiment of the present inventionincludes: memory; an input/output interface including at least onereceiver and at least one transmitter; and one or more processors thatcontrol the SAS to: receive, from a first Citizens Broadband RadioService Device (CBSD), first user equipment (UE) information includingat least one of timing advance or power headroom information for one ormore UEs using or in communication with said first CBSD; estimate, basedon the received first UE information, a first CBSD coverage area; andmake a first resource allocation to the first CBSD based on theestimated first CBSD coverage area, said first resource allocationincluding an allocation of at least one of a frequency bandwidthallocation or transmission power allocation to the first CBSD. In someembodiments, the one or more processors further control the SAS tocommunicate the resource allocation to the first CBSD.

The one or more processors of the SAS may also control the SAS so thatprior to estimating the first CBSD coverage area, the SAS identifies theUE in communication with the first CBSD with the largest timing advance;and determines if the UE in communication with the first CBSD having thelargest timing advance also has the lowest power headroom of the UEs forwhich power headroom information is provided in said first UEinformation.

While various embodiments have been discussed in the summary above, itshould be appreciated that not necessarily all embodiments include thesame features and some of the features described above are not necessarybut can be desirable in some embodiments. Numerous additional features,embodiments and benefits of various embodiments are discussed in thedetailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary Citizens Broadband Radio Service networksystem 100 that provides wireless communications services in accordanceone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the combination of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 2A illustrates the steps of the first part of an exemplary methodin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates the steps of the second part of an exemplary methodin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a table of user equipment devices and correspondingtiming advance and power headroom information.

FIG. 3A illustrates a table of user equipment devices and correspondingtiming advance and power headroom information provided with exemplarynumerical values.

FIG. 3B illustrates a table of user equipment devices and correspondingtiming advance and power headroom information and rankings.

FIG. 3C illustrates a table of user equipment devices and correspondingtiming advance and power headroom information and rankings that isdifferent than user equipment device information and rankings shown inFIG. 3B.

FIG. 4 illustrates details of an exemplary Citizens Broadband RadioService Device (CBSD) in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates details of an exemplary User Equipment (UE) device inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates details of an exemplary Spectrum Access System device(SAS) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary assembly of components for a CBSD inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary assembly of components for a userequipment device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary assembly of components for a SAS devicein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates the combination of FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C.

FIG. 11A illustrates the steps of the first part of an exemplary methodin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11B illustrates the steps of the second part of an exemplary methodin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11C illustrates the steps of the third part of an exemplary methodin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary table of user equipment devices andcorresponding timing advance and power headroom information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The current invention is applicable to Citizens Broadband Radio Service(CBRS) networks that provide wireless communications services. Thepresent invention relates to methods, systems and apparatus to estimatecoverage of Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSDs) using powerheadroom and/or timing advance information and to use the coverageestimates to more effectively and efficiently allocate spectrum andmanage electromagnetic interference by adjusting CBSD transmission powerlevels based on the estimated coverage area.

Citizens Broadband Radio Service networks are networks that include userequipment devices, e.g., mobile or wireless devices such as for examplecell phones, smart phones, laptops, tablets, Citizens Broadband RadioService Devices (CBSDs) which serve as access points/base stations, andSpectrum Access Systems which provides spectrum assignments and managesfrequency interference through power management of the CBSDstransmission power. The Citizens Broadband Radio Service networkutilizes the 150 megahetz in the 3550-3700 MHz band referred to as the3.5 GHz Band. One important aspect of the CBRS network is the limitationof interference, e.g., radio transmission, from multiple transmissionsources, e.g., multiple CBSD devices located near each other or in closeproximity to one another. The CBRS network includes Spectrum AccessSystems that obtain information about registered or licensed commercialusers in the 3.5 GHz band from FCC databases and information aboutfederal incumbent users of the band from ESC (Environmental SensingCapability) system and interact directly or indirectly with CBSDsoperating in the band to ensure that Citizens Broadband Radio Serviceusers operate in a manner consistent with their authorizations andpromote efficient use of the spectrum resource. Among the SpectrumAccess System functions as defined in the Amendment of the Commission'sRules with Regard to Commercial Operations in the 3550-3650 MHz Bandreleased Apr. 21, 2015 are that: it determines the available frequenciesat a given geographic location and assign them to CBSDs; it determinesthe maximum permissible transmission power level for CBSDs at a givenlocation and communicates that information to the CBSDs; it registersand authenticates the identification information and location of CBSDs;it enforces exclusion and protection zones, including any future changesto such Zones, to ensure compatibility between Citizens Broadband RadioService users and incumbent federal operations; it protects PriorityAccess Licensees (PAL) from impermissible interference from otherCitizens Broadband Radio Service users; ensures secure and reliabletransmission of information between the SAS, ESC, and CBSDs; and itfacilitates coordination and information exchange between SASs. Throughthe management of the CBSDs power transmission levels in a geographicalarea the SAS manages the radio interference in the geographical area.

Various embodiments of the present invention describe methods,apparatus, systems and techniques for providing accurate estimates for aCitizens Broadcast Radio Service Device's coverage area in a CBRSnetwork for example by a Spectrum Access System and efficientlyallocating resources, e.g., frequency bandwidth and or transmissionpower, based on the estimates. Various embodiments use reported userequipment device timing advance and/or power headroom information inmaking the estimates. In various embodiments, statistical analysis isperformed on user equipment device power headroom and timing advancevalues to generate a CBSD's coverage area.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary CBRS network communications system 100having an architecture implemented in accordance with the presentinvention. The CBRS communications network system 100 includes aCitizens Broadcast Radio Service Device (CBSD) 1 102, a CBSD 2 104, aSpectrum Access System device 1 (SAS 1) 106, a SAS 2 107, an FCCDatabases of commercial users/licenses 103, an Environmental SensingCapability (Federal Incumbent Use) (ESC) system 105, a plurality of userequipment (UE) devices UE 1 110, UE 2 112, UE 3 114, UE 4 116, UE 5 118,UE 6 120, UE 7 122, UE 8 124, and UE 9 126, communications links 128,138, 140, 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 181,182, 184, a first cell 108 and a second cell 109.

The first cell 108 of the CBRS network is serviced by CBSD 1 102. Thefirst cell 108 illustrates the wireless coverage range of CBSD 1 102 ata first time T1. The user equipment devices also sometimes referred toas user terminal devices UE 1 110, UE 2 112, UE 3 114, UE 4 116, and UE5 118 are located in the first cell 108 are in active wirelesscommunications with CBSD 1 102. Communications links 160, 162, 164, 166,and 168 illustrate wireless communications channels, e.g., radiochannels, over which CBSD 1 102 and UE 1 110, UE 2 112, UE 3 114, UE 4116, and UE 5 118 communicate respectively.

The second cell 109 of the CBRS network is serviced by CBSD 2 104. Thesecond cell 109 illustrates the wireless coverage range of CBSD 2 104 atthe first time T1. The user equipment devices UE 6 120, UE 7 122, UE 8124 and UE 9 126 are located in a second cell 109 and are incommunication with CBSD 2 104. Communications links 170, 172, 174 and176 illustrate wireless communications channels, e.g., radio channels,over which CBSD 2 102 and UE 6 120, UE 7 122, UE 8 124, and UE 9 126communicate respectively.

SAS 1 106 is coupled to SAS 2 107 via communications link 178. SAS 1 106is coupled to FCC Databases 103 via communications link 180. SAS 2 107is coupled to FCC Databases 103 via communications link 181. ESC system105 is coupled to SAS 1 106 and SAS 2 107 via communications links 182and 184. The ESC system is used to detect, sense Navy radar operationsin CBRS operation within 3550-3650 MHz near the coasts and providenotifications over the communications links to SAS 1 106 and SAS 2 107.SAS 1 106 manages the CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104 spectrum allocation andtransmission power to limit interference in the CBRS network. SAS 2 107manages other CBSDs in the CBRS network which are not shown in FIG. 1.SAS 1 106 and SAS 2 107 communicate and share information regarding theCBRS network coverage of the CBSDs each respectively manage andcoordinate management of the allocation of spectrum and powertransmission levels of CBSDs throughout the CBRS network. While only twoSAS devices are shown in FIG. 1 it should be understood that additionalSAS devices are typically used in the CBRS network. The communicationslink 128 couples CBSD 1 102 to CBSD 2 104.

The communications links 128, 138, 140, 178, 180, 182, and 184 aretypically wired communications links or fiber optic cables. Thecommunications links 160, 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174 and 176 arewireless or over the air communications links. It is to be understoodthat the communication links shown in system 100 are only exemplary andother network configurations and communications links may be employedthat couple together the devices, servers, nodes, entities, databasesand controllers of the system. Elements or steps with the same referencenumbers used in different figures are the same or similar and thoseelements or steps will not be described in detail again.

While for the sake of simplicity in explaining the invention system 100only illustrates two active CBSD devices, two SAS devices and a few UEdevices, it will be appreciated that system 100 typically includes alarge plurality of active CBSDs in the CBRS network supporting a largeplurality of UE devices and being managed by a plurality of SAS deviceswhich are in communication with one another.

FIG. 3 illustrates a table 300 of indexed user equipment devices withcorresponding timing advance and power headroom information. Row 308 oftable 300 illustrates labels identifying the information contained ineach column and are not data. The entries in column 302 of table 300include user equipment device identifiers for the UEs in communicationwith a CBSD, e.g., CBSD 1 102. The user equipment device identifiers canbe any identifier that uniquely identifies the user equipment device.Exemplary user equipment device identifiers include International MobileSubscriber Identity (IMSI) numbers and International Mobile EquipmentIdentity (IMEI) numbers. The entries in column 304 of table 300 includetiming advance information for the UEs in communication with the CBSDidentified in the same row. The entries in column 306 of table 300include power headroom information for the UEs in communication with theCBSD identified in the same row. The entries of row 310 indicate UE 1has timing advance TA 1 and power headroom PH 1. The entries of row 312indicate UE 2 has timing advance TA 2 and power headroom PH 2. Theentries of row 314 indicate UE 3 has timing advance TA 3 and powerheadroom PH 3. The entries of row 316 indicate UE 4 has timing advanceTA 4 and power headroom PH 4. The entries of row 318 indicate UE 5 hastiming advance TA 5 and power headroom PH 5. TA 1, TA 2, TA 3, TA 4, TA5 represent numerical timing advance values. PH 1, PH 2, PH 3, PH 4, andPH 5 represent numerical power headroom values.

FIG. 3A illustrates exemplary UE timing advance and power headroomvalues for UEs in communication with the CBSD 1 102 provided to SAS 1106. In this example, the timing advance values are whole integernumbers ranging from 0 to 63 and the power headroom values are wholeinteger numbers ranging from 0 to 23. Table 300′ of FIG. 3A illustratesexemplary UE timing advance and power headroom values in columns 304′and 306′.

FIG. 3B illustrates exemplary UE timing advance and power headroomvalues for UEs in communication with the CBSD 1 102 provided to SAS 1106 along with timing advance and power headroom rankings. Table 300″includes row 310″, row 312″, row 314″, row 316″ and row 318″ which eachinclude respectively information pertaining to a particular UE incommunication with the CBSD 1 102. The particular UE for the row beingidentified in the UE identifier column 302. Table 300″ also includesadditional columns 305 and 307 which were not included in table 300 or300′. Table 300″ of FIG. 3B includes column 305 showing UE timingadvance rankings. The UE timing advance values are ranked from highestor largest timing advance values to lowest or shortest timing advance.The highest timing advance value being TA 1=60 having a TA ranking of 1and corresponding to UE 1 (table 300″ column 305 row 310″). Column 307of table 300″ shows UE power headroom rankings. The UE power headroomvalues are ranked from lowest or smallest to largest or highest. Thelowest or smallest power headroom value being PH 1=1 having a PH rankingof 1 and corresponding to UE 1 (table 300″ column 307, row 310). FIG. 1illustrates that UE 1 110 is the furthest distance away from CBSD 1 102and hence these rankings are consistent with the fact that UE 1 102 isUE in communication with the CBSD 1 102 that is the farthest from CBSD 1102. The UE timing advance and power headroom values of table 300″illustrate the case where the UE with the largest or highest timingadvance value is also the UE with the lowest power headroom value.

FIG. 3C illustrates table 300′. Table 300′″ includes rows 308″, 310′,312′″, 314″, 316″, and 318″ and columns 302 (UE Identifier), 304″(Timing Advance), 305′ (Timing Advance Ranking), 306′ (Power Headroom)and 307 (Power Headroom Ranking). The difference between table 300″ andtable 300′ is that UE 1 has a timing advance value of 36 (row 310′,column 304″) with a timing advance ranking of 2 (row 310′″, column 305′)and that UE 2 now has a timing advance ranking of 1 (row 312′, column305′). In this example, the UE 2 is the UE in communications with CBSD 1102 with the highest or largest timing advance but it does not have thelowest power headroom value. UE 1 has the lowest power headroom of theUEs in communication with CBSD 1 102. When the method 1100 in FIG. 11discussed below is executed, UE 2 will be eliminated or removed after itis determined that it is the UE with the highest timing advance but itdoes not have the lowest power headroom. After the elimination of UE 2from consideration, the method 1100 will determine that UE 1 with atiming advance ranking of 2 is the UE with the highest timing advanceand also the lowest power headroom.

FIG. 12 illustrates a table 1200 of indexed user equipment devices withcorresponding timing advance and power headroom information. Row 1208 oftable 1200 illustrates labels identifying the information contained ineach column and are not data. The entries in column 1202 of table 1200include user equipment device identifiers for the UEs in communicationwith a CBSD, e.g., CBSD 2 104. The entries in column 1204 of table 1200include timing advance information for the UEs in communication with theCBSD identified in the same row. The entries in column 1206 of table1200 include power headroom information for the UEs in communicationwith the CBSD identified in the same row. The entries of row 1210indicate UE 6 has timing advance TA 6 and power headroom PH 6. Theentries of row 1212 indicate UE 7 has timing advance TA 7 and powerheadroom PH 7. The entries of row 1214 indicate UE 8 has timing advanceTA 8 and power headroom PH 8. The entries of row 1216 indicate UE 9 hastiming advance TA 9 and power headroom PH 9. TA 6, TA 7, TA 8, and TA 9represent numerical timing advance values. PH 6, PH 7, PH 8, and PH 9represent numerical power headroom values. In table 1200 values haveprovided for the UE timing advance and power headroom values. These arevalues that may be, and in some embodiments, are provided to the SAS 1106 for use in estimating the CBRS cell coverage area for CBSD 2 104.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of an exemplary Citizens Broadband Radio ServiceDevice (CBSD) 400 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The CBSDdevice 400, in some embodiments, incorporates Long Term Evolution (LTE),e.g., 4G LTE, eNodeB base station/access point capabilities such asdetermination of a user equipment device's timing advance and/orcommands to request user equipment devices to report power headroomvalues. The CBSD device 400 also includes the capabilities of a CBSD asdefined by the Federal Communications Commission's Rules with Regard toCommercial Operations in the 3550-3650 MHz Band. Exemplary CBSD device400 includes a wireless interface 404, a network interface 405, e.g., awired or optical interface, a processor 406, e.g., a CPU, an assembly ofhardware components 408, e.g., an assembly of circuits, and I/Ointerface 410 and memory 412 coupled together via a bus 409 over whichthe various elements may interchange data and information. CBSD device400 further includes a speaker 452, a display 454, switches 456, keypad458 and mouse 459 coupled to I/O interface 410, via which the variousI/O devices (452, 454, 456, 458, 459) may communicate with otherelements (404, 406, 408, 412) of the CBSD device 400. Network interface405 includes a receiver 478 and a transmitter 480. In some embodiments,receiver 478 and transmitter 480 are part of a transceiver 484. Wirelessinterface 404 includes a wireless receiver 438 and a wirelesstransmitter 440. In some embodiments, receiver 438 and transmitter 440are part of a transceiver 442. In various embodiments, wirelessinterface 404 includes a plurality of wireless receivers and a pluralityof wireless transmitters. Wireless receiver 438 is coupled to aplurality of receive antennas (receive antenna 1 439, . . . , receiveantenna M 441), via which CBSD device 400 can receive wireless signalfrom other wireless communications devices including a second wirelesscommunications device, e.g., a UE device. Wireless transmitter 440 iscoupled to a plurality of wireless transmit antennas (transmit antenna 1443, . . . , transmit antenna N 445) via which the CBSD 400 can transmitsignals to other wireless communications devices including a secondwireless communications device, e.g., a UE device. Memory 412 includesan assembly of component 414, e.g., an assembly of software components,and data/information 416. Data/information 416 includes UE deviceinformation corresponding to a plurality of user equipment devices (UEdevice A information 417, . . . , UE device N information 419 where A toN are the UE devices being serviced by the CBSD for example CBSD 1 102UE 1 . . . UE 5 as shown in FIG. 1, UE transmit data buffer 420, andList of PCIs (Physical Cell Identifier List) 422. In some embodiments,CBSD 1 102 and/or CBSD 2 104, are implemented in accordance with CBSD400.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of an exemplary user equipment (UE) device 500 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment. UE device 500 is, e.g., amobile device such as a cell phone, a smart phone, wireless tablet orwireless notebook. UE device 500, in some embodiments, includes LongTerm Evolution (LTE), e.g., 4G LTE, mobile device capabilities.Exemplary UE device 500 includes a wireless interface 504, a processor506, e.g., a CPU, an assembly of hardware components 508, e.g., anassembly of circuits, and I/O interface 510 and memory 512 coupledtogether via a bus 509 over which the various elements may interchangedata and information. UE device 500 further includes a microphone 550,camera 551, speaker 552, a display 554, e.g., a touch screen display,switches 556, keypad 558 and mouse 559 coupled to I/O interface 510, viawhich the various I/O devices (550, 551, 552, 554, 556, 558, 559) maycommunicate with other elements (504, 506, 508, 512) of the UE device.Network interface 505 includes a receiver 578 and a transmitter 580. Insome embodiments, receiver 578 and transmitter 580 are part of atransceiver 584. Wireless interface 504 includes a wireless receiver 538and a wireless transmitter 540. In some embodiments, receiver 538 andtransmitter 540 are part of a transceiver 524. In various embodiments,wireless interface 504 includes a plurality of wireless receivers and aplurality of wireless transmitters. Wireless receiver 538 is coupled toone or more receive antennas (receive antenna 1 539, . . . , receiveantenna M 541), via which UE device 500 can receive wireless signalsfrom other wireless communications devices including, e.g., a CBSDdevice such as CBSD 400. Wireless transmitter 540 is coupled to one ormore wireless transmit antennas (transmit antenna 1 543, . . . ,transmit antenna N 545) via which the UE device 500 can transmit signalsto other wireless communications device including a first wirelesscommunications device, e.g., a CBSD 400. Memory 512 includes an assemblyof components 514, e.g., an assembly of software components, anddata/information 516.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of an exemplary Spectrum Access System (SAS) device600 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The SAS 600 includes thecapabilities of a SAS as defined by the Federal CommunicationsCommission's Rules with Regard to Commercial Operations in the 3550-3650MHz Band. Exemplary SAS device 600 includes a network interface 605,e.g., a wired or optical interface, a processor 606, e.g., a CPU, anassembly of hardware components 608, e.g., an assembly of circuits, andI/O interface 610 and memory 612 coupled together via a bus 609 overwhich the various elements may interchange data and information. SAS 600further includes a speaker 652, a display 654, switches 656, keypad 658and mouse 659 coupled to I/O interface 610, via which the various I/Odevices (652, 654, 656, 658, 659) may communicate with other elements(606, 608, 612) of the SAS 600. Network interface 605 includes areceiver 678 and a transmitter 680. The network interface 605 istypically used to communicate with other SAS devices and CBSD devices.In some embodiments, receiver 678 and transmitter 680 are part of atransceiver 684. Memory 612 includes an assembly of component 614, e.g.,an assembly of software components, and data/information 616.Data/information 616 includes UE device information corresponding to aplurality of UE devices (UE device 1 information 617 . . . UE device Ninformation 619, where N is integer number. Data/information 616 alsoincludes CBSD device information corresponding to a plurality of CBSDdevices (CBSD device 1 information 621, . . . , CBSD device Ninformation 623, where N is an integer number). Data/Information 616also typically includes the UE power headroom and UE timing advancelists and the UE information included in FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, 3C and 12, andCBDS device transmission power and spectrum allocation information. Insome embodiments, SAS 1 106 is implemented in accordance with CBSD 400.

FIG. 7 is a drawing of an exemplary assembly of components 700 which maybe included in an exemplary CBSD device, e.g., exemplary CBSD 400 ofFIG. 4, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The components inthe assembly of components 700 can, and in some embodiments are,implemented fully in hardware within a processor, e.g., processor 406,e.g., as individual circuits. The components in the assembly ofcomponents 700 can, and in some embodiments are, implemented fully inhardware within the assembly of hardware components 408, e.g., asindividual circuits corresponding to the different components. In otherembodiments some of the components are implemented, e.g., as circuits,within processor 406 with other components being implemented, e.g., ascircuits within assembly of components 408, external to and coupled tothe processor 406. As should be appreciated the level of integration ofcomponents on the processor and/or with some components being externalto the processor may be one of design choice. Alternatively, rather thanbeing implemented as circuits, all or some of the components may beimplemented in software and stored in the memory 412 of the CBSD device400, with the components controlling operation of CBSD device 400 toimplement the functions corresponding to the components when thecomponents are executed by a processor e.g., processor 406. In some suchembodiments, the assembly of components 700 is included in the memory412 as assembly of software components 414. In still other embodiments,various components in assembly of components 700 are implemented as acombination of hardware and software, e.g., with another circuitexternal to the processor providing input to the processor which thenunder software control operates to perform a portion of a component'sfunction.

When implemented in software the components include code, which whenexecuted by a processor, e.g., processor 406, configure the processor toimplement the function corresponding to the component. In embodimentswhere the assembly of components 700 is stored in the memory 412, thememory 412 is a computer program product comprising a computer readablemedium comprising code, e.g., individual code for each component, forcausing at least one computer, e.g., processor 406, to implement thefunctions to which the components correspond.

Completely hardware based or completely software based components may beused. However, it should be appreciated that any combination of softwareand hardware, e.g., circuit implemented components may be used toimplement the functions. As should be appreciated, the componentsillustrated in FIG. 7 control and/or configure the CBSD device 400 orelements therein such as the processor 406, to perform the functions ofcorresponding steps illustrated and/or described in the method of one ormore of the flowcharts, signaling diagrams and/or described with respectto any of the Figures. Thus the assembly of components 700 includesvarious components that perform functions of corresponding one or moredescribed and/or illustrated steps of an exemplary method.

Assembly of components 700 includes a control routines component 702, anUE identification component 704, a communications component 706, aresource allocation implementer component 708 that uses resourcesallocated to the CBSD by the SAS, e.g., the resource allocationimplementer changes power transmission levels and/or frequency bandwidthbased on instructions communicated from the SAS regarding the frequencybandwidth and/or transmission power allocated to the CBSD for example inresponse to an estimation of the CBSD's coverage area; a messagegenerator component 710, a UE power headroom component 712 and a UEtiming advance component 714. The control routines component 702 isconfigured to control operation of the CBSD. The message identificationcomponent 704 is configured to provide UE identification information intransmitted messages. The communication component 706 is configured tohandle communications, e.g., transmission and reception of messages, andprotocol signaling for the CBSD. The message generator component 710 isconfigured to generate messages for transmission to other devices. TheUE power headroom component 712 is configured to obtain from a UEmessage the value of the UE's power headroom. In some embodiments, theUE power headroom component 712 ranks all UE power headroom values fromlowest power headroom to highest power headroom. In some embodiments, UEpower headroom component generates a UE power headroom report includingUE power headroom information for communication to the SAS managing theCBSD. The UE timing advance component 714 is configured to determine,generate or calculate a timing advance value for each of the UEs incommunication with the CBSD. In some embodiments, the UE timing advancecomponent 714 ranks all UE timing advance values from highest or largesttiming advance to lowest timing advance. In some embodiments, UE timingadvance component generates a UE timing advance report including UEtiming advance information for communication to the SAS managing theCBSD.

FIG. 8 is a drawing of an exemplary assembly of components 800 which maybe included in an exemplary user equipment (UE) device, e.g., UE device500 of FIG. 5, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Thecomponents in the assembly of components 800 can, and in someembodiments are, implemented fully in hardware within a processor, e.g.,processor 506, e.g., as individual circuits. The components in theassembly of components 800 can, and in some embodiments are, implementedfully in hardware within the assembly of hardware components 508, e.g.,as individual circuits corresponding to the different components. Inother embodiments some of the components are implemented, e.g., ascircuits, within processor 506 with other components being implemented,e.g., as circuits within assembly of components 508, external to andcoupled to the processor 506. As should be appreciated the level ofintegration of components on the processor and/or with some componentsbeing external to the processor may be one of design choice.Alternatively, rather than being implemented as circuits, all or some ofthe components may be implemented in software and stored in the memory512 of the UE device 500, with the components controlling operation ofUE device 500 to implement the functions corresponding to the componentswhen the components are executed by a processor e.g., processor 506. Insome such embodiments, the assembly of components 800 is included in thememory 512 as assembly of software components 514. In still otherembodiments, various components in assembly of components 800 areimplemented as a combination of hardware and software, e.g., withanother circuit external to the processor providing input to theprocessor which then under software control operates to perform aportion of a component's function. When implemented in software thecomponents include code, which when executed by a processor, e.g.,processor 506, configure the processor to implement the functioncorresponding to the component. In embodiments where the assembly ofcomponents 800 is stored in the memory 512, the memory 512 is a computerprogram product comprising a computer readable medium comprising code,e.g., individual code for each component, for causing at least onecomputer, e.g., processor 506, to implement the functions to which thecomponents correspond.

Completely hardware based or completely software based components may beused. However, it should be appreciated that any combination of softwareand hardware, e.g., circuit implemented components may be used toimplement the functions. As should be appreciated, the componentsillustrated in FIG. 8 control and/or configure the UE device 500 orelements therein such as the processor 506, to perform the functions ofcorresponding steps illustrated and/or described in the method of one ormore of the flowcharts, signaling diagrams and/or described with respectto any of the Figures. Thus the assembly of components 800 includesvarious components that perform functions of corresponding one or moredescribed and/or illustrated steps of an exemplary method.

Assembly of components 800 includes a control routines component 802, amessage generator component 804, a power headroom determinationcomponent 806, a communication component 818. The control routinescomponent 802 is configured to control operation of the UE. The messagegenerator component 804 is configured to generate messages fortransmission to CBSD devices. The power headroom determination component806 is configured to determine a power headroom value for the userequipment device, e.g., to provide to the CBSD device servicing the UE.The communication component 808 is configured to handle communications,e.g., receipt and transmission of signals and provide protocol signalprocessing for one or protocols for the UE.

FIG. 9 is a drawing of an exemplary assembly of components 900 which maybe included in an exemplary SAS device, e.g., exemplary SAS 600 of FIG.6, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The components in theassembly of components 900 can, and in some embodiments are, implementedfully in hardware within a processor, e.g., processor 606, e.g., asindividual circuits. The components in the assembly of components 900can, and in some embodiments are, implemented fully in hardware withinthe assembly of hardware components 608, e.g., as individual circuitscorresponding to the different components. In other embodiments some ofthe components are implemented, e.g., as circuits, within processor 606with other components being implemented, e.g., as circuits withinassembly of components 608, external to and coupled to the processor606. As should be appreciated the level of integration of components onthe processor and/or with some components being external to theprocessor may be one of design choice. Alternatively, rather than beingimplemented as circuits, all or some of the components may beimplemented in software and stored in the memory 612 of the SAS 600,with the components controlling operation of SAS 600 to implement thefunctions corresponding to the components when the components areexecuted by a processor e.g., processor 606. In some such embodiments,the assembly of components 900 is included in the memory 612 as assemblyof software components 614. In still other embodiments, variouscomponents in assembly of components 900 are implemented as acombination of hardware and software, e.g., with another circuitexternal to the processor providing input to the processor which thenunder software control operates to perform a portion of a component'sfunction.

When implemented in software the components include code, which whenexecuted by a processor, e.g., processor 606, configure the processor toimplement the function corresponding to the component. In embodimentswhere the assembly of components 900 is stored in the memory 612, thememory 612 is a computer program product comprising a computer readablemedium comprising code, e.g., individual code for each component, forcausing at least one computer, e.g., processor 606, to implement thefunctions to which the components correspond.

Completely hardware based or completely software based components may beused. However, it should be appreciated that any combination of softwareand hardware, e.g., circuit implemented components may be used toimplement the functions. As should be appreciated, the componentsillustrated in FIG. 9 control and/or configure the SAS 600 or elementstherein such as the processor 606, to perform the functions ofcorresponding steps illustrated and/or described in the method of one ormore of the flowcharts, signaling diagrams and/or described with respectto any of the Figures. Thus the assembly of components 900 includesvarious components that perform functions of corresponding one or moredescribed and/or illustrated steps of an exemplary method.

Assembly of components 900 includes a control routines component 902, amessage generator component 904, an electromagnetic interferencedetermination component 906, a power management component 908, CBSDcoverage area estimator component 910, communication component 912,determinator component 914, UE power headroom ranking component 920, UEtiming advance ranking component 922, spectrum management component 924,a resource allocation component 926, a UE information processingcomponent 932, and a CBSD coverage area estimator component 934. Theresource allocation component 926 includes in a frequency bandwidthallocation component 928 and a transmission power allocation component930. The control routines component 902 is configured to controloperation of the SAS. The message generator component 904 is configuredto generate messages for transmission to CBSD devices, e.g., resourceallocations messages including frequency bandwidth allocated to a CBSDand transmission power allocations for the CBSD. The electromagneticinterference determination component is configured to determine actualor potential electromagnetic interference to be caused by wireless,e.g., radio transmission from active CBSD devices or CBSDs devices whichare to become active. The power management component 908 is configuredto manage power transmission levels to maximize usage of spectrum whileminimizing interference and in some embodiments is a sub-component ofthe resource allocation component.

The power management component 908 determines the power transmissionlevels for CBSDs managed by the SAS and in some embodiments aresub-components of the resource allocation component 926. The spectrummanagement component 924 is configured to manage the allocation offrequency spectrum in the CBRS network including frequency bandwidthallocated to CBSDs managed by the SAS. In some embodiments, the spectrummanagement component 924 is a sub-component of resource allocationcomponent 926. The communication component 912 is configured to handlecommunications between the SAS and other nodes, e.g., CBSD device, FCCdatabase, ESC system including receipt and transmission of messages andprotocol signaling. The UE power headroom ranking component 920 isconfigured to rank user equipment device power headroom values fromlowest power headroom to largest power headroom. In some embodiments,the UE power headroom ranking component 920 also generates UE lists ofthe UEs and their power headroom value and power headroom ranking fromUE power headroom information received from a CBSD. The UE timingadvance ranking component 922 is configured to rank user equipmentdevice timing advance values from highest or largest timing advance tolowest or smallest timing advance value. In some embodiments, the UEtiming advance value ranking component 922 also generates UE lists ofthe UEs and their timing advance value and timing advance value rankingfrom UE timing advance value information received from a CBSD.

The determinator component 914 is configured to make one or moredecisions or determinations such as for example, determine if the UE incommunication with the first CBSD having the largest timing advance alsohas the lowest power headroom of the UEs for which power headroominformation is provided to the SAS for the first CBSD; determine anaverage UE timing advance value; determine an average UE power headroomvalue; determine an estimate of a CBSD coverage area based on UE powerheadroom and timing advance information; determine UEs having a timingadvance value in a range of timing advance values; determine UEs havinga power headroom value in a range of power headroom values; determineUEs having both a timing advance value within a range of timing advancevalues and a power headroom value within a range of power headroomvalues; determine standard deviation of the power headroom values of UEsusing or in communication with a CBSD, determine standard deviation ofthe timing advance values of UEs using or in communication with a CBSD;and determining resource allocations based on an estimated CBSD coveragearea.

The resource allocation component 926 is configured to allocateresources including for example frequency bandwidth allocations and/ortransmission power allocations for CBSDs managed by the SAS and based onestimations of the CBSDs' coverage area. In some embodiments, theresource allocation component 926 includes sub-components frequencybandwidth allocation component 928 and transmission power allocationcomponent 930. The frequency bandwidth allocation component 928 isconfigured to allocate frequency bandwidth for a CBSD based on theestimated coverage area of the CBSD which in turn is based on the UEpower headroom and timing advance information provided to the SAS. Thetransmission power allocation component 930 is configured to allocatetransmission power to a CBSD based on the estimated coverage area of theCBSD which in turn is based on the UE power headroom and timing advanceinformation provided to the SAS.

The UE information processing component 932 is configured to process UEinformation received by the SAS from a CBSD corresponding to multipleUEs to determine at least one of a timing advance or power headroomvalue to be used in determining the coverage area of the CBSD whichprovided the UE information. In some embodiments, the UE informationprocessing component 932 is configured to perform statistical analysisof the UE information to determine the at least one of a timing advanceor power headroom value to be used in determining the coverage area ofthe CBSD which provided the UE information.

The CBSD coverage area estimator component is configured to generate anestimation of a CBSD's coverage area based on UE information provided tothe SAS including UE power headroom information and/or UE timing advanceinformation for UEs in communication with the CBSD for which the UEinformation has been provided.

FIG. 2, which comprises the combination of FIGS. 2A and 2B illustratesan exemplary method 200. FIG. 2A illustrates the steps of the first partof an exemplary method 200 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 2B illustrates the steps of the second part ofan exemplary method 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

For explanatory purposes the exemplary method 200 will be explained inconnection with the exemplary CBRS network system 100 illustrated inFIG. 1 although it should be understand that the method may beimplemented using other systems and other system configurations thenthose illustrated in FIG. 1.

The method 200 shown in FIG. 2 will now be discussed in detail. Themethod starts in start step 201 shown on FIG. 2A with the devices insystem 100 being initialized and becoming operational. Over the aircommunications links or channels are established between UE 1 110, UE 2112, UE 3 114, UE 4 116, and UE 5 118 over which packets of data aretransmitted from the CBSD 1 102 to the UE devices in the cell 108. Overthe air communications links or channels are established between UE 6120, UE 7 122, UE 8 124, and UE 9 126 over which packets of data aretransmitted from the CBSD 2 104 to the UE devices in the cell 109.Operation proceeds from start step 201 to steps 202, 228, . . . whereprocessing proceeds in parallel. While two processing loops or legs ofthe method 200 which may be executed in parallel have been shown toexplain the method the “ . . . ” 203 indicates that additionalprocessing legs having the same or similar steps may be included. In theexemplary method 200 each loop or leg corresponds to the method ofestimating the CBRS network cell coverage of a different CBSD device inthe system and the resources, e.g., frequency bandwidth or transmissionpower allocation to be allocated to the CBSD device. The exemplarysystem 100 has previously explained includes two CBSD devices, CBSD 1102 and CBSD 2 104, but the system can be expanded to include includesCBSD devices and UEs.

In step 202, an SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106 of system 100 is operated to set afirst match counter to zero. Operation proceeds from step 202 to step204.

In step 204, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to receive userequipment (UE) information including timing advance and/or powerheadroom information from a first Citizen Broadband Radio Service Device(CBSD). In the example of system 100, the first CBSD is CBSD 1 102.Operation proceeds from step 204 to step 206.

In step 206, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to identify a userequipment device in communication with the first CBSD, (e.g., CBSD 1102) with the largest timing advance. The first CBSD is in communicationwith a user equipment device when for example the first CBSD receivescontrol signals and/or pilot signals from the user equipment device.That is the first CBSD could be but does not have to be in datacommunications with the user equipment device to be in communicationwith the user equipment device. The identification of the user equipmentdevice with the largest timing advance in communication with the firstCBSD may be, and in some embodiments is, determined based on the userequipment information provided by the first CBSD to the SAS 1 106 devicewhich includes the timing advance and/or power headroom information. Inthe example of system 100, UE 1 110, UE 2 112, UE 3 114, UE 4 116 and UE5 118 are all in communication with the first CBSD 1 102. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 3A, UE 1 110 which is the UE which is located thefurthest from the CBSD 1 102 has the largest timing advance and thelowest power headroom. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3C, UE 1 110which is the UE which is located the furthest from the CBSD 1 102 hasthe 2nd largest timing advance and the lowest power headroom value whileUE 2 112 has the highest timing advance and the 2nd lowest powerheadroom value. Operation proceeds from step 206 to decision step 208.

In decision step 208, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to determineif the user equipment device identified as having the largest timingadvance in step 206 has the lowest power headroom of the UE devices incommunication with first CBSD, e.g., CBSD 1 102. If the UE identified ashaving the largest timing advance does have the lowest power headroomthen operation proceeds from decision step 208 to step 220. If the UEidentified as having the largest timing advance does not have the lowestpower headroom then operation proceeds from step 208 to step 210. Thedecision made in step 208 may be, and typically is, based upon the UEinformation received by the SAS from the first CBSD in step 204. In theexample of system 100, the UE 1 110, UE 2 112, UE 3 114, UE 4 116 and UE5 118 are in communication with the first CBSD, e.g., CBSD 1 102. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 3A, UE 1 110 which is the UE which islocated the furthest from the CBSD 1 102 has the largest timing advanceand the lowest power headroom. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3C, UE1 110 which is the UE which is located the furthest from the CBSD 1 102has the 2nd largest timing advance and the lowest power headroom valuewhile UE 2 112 has the highest timing advance and the 2nd lowest powerheadroom value.

In step 220, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to estimate thecoverage range of the first CBSD based on the timing advance and/orpower headroom of the UE identified as having the largest timing advanceand which also has the lowest power headroom from the UE devices incommunications with the first CBSD, e.g., CBSD 1 102. Operation proceedsfrom step 220 to step 222.

In step 222, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106 is operated to update the cellcoverage area for the first CBSD, e.g., CBSD 1 102, based on the timingadvance and/or power headroom of the UE with the largest timing advanceand lowest power headroom. Operation proceeds from step 222 to step 224.

As previously explained when in decision step 208, the UE with thelargest timing advance does not have the lowest power headroom of theUEs in communication with the first CBSD then proceeds to step 210. Instep 210, the SAS increments first match counter by 1. Operationproceeds from step 210 to decision step 212.

In decision step 212, the SAS (e.g., SAS 1 106) is operated to determinewhether the first match counter has reached a retry limit. If the SASdetermines that the first match counter has reached a retry limit thenoperation proceeds to step 214 from decision step 212. If the SASdetermines that the first match counter has not reached a reached aretry limit then operation proceeds from decision step 212 back to step204 where the method continues with the SAS receives user equipmentinformation including timing advance and/or power headroom informationfrom the first CBSD (e.g., CBSD 1 102) and the processing proceeds aspreviously described.

In step 214, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to process thereceived UE information corresponding to the first CBSD to determinetiming advance and/or power headroom to be used in determining the firstCBSD coverage estimation. The processing of step 214 in some, but notnecessarily all, embodiments includes statistical analysis and/orfiltering out the outlier UE timing advance and power headroom valueswhen determining the timing advance and power headroom values to be usedin estimating the first CBSD's CBRS coverage area.

In some embodiments, in response to determining the UE in communicationwith the first CBSD having the largest timing advance does not also havethe lowest power headroom, the SAS processes the UE information receivedfrom the first CBSD corresponding to multiple UEs to determine at leastone of a timing advance or power headroom value to be used indetermining the coverage area of the first CBSD. In some suchembodiments, the processing includes performing at least one ofdetermining an average TA for UEs using the first CBSD or determining anaverage power headroom for UEs in communication with the first CBSD. Insome embodiments the TAs of UEs in communication with the first CBSDhaving a TA within a determined range of the average TA are used indetermining the coverage area of the first CBSD (e.g., based on thestandard deviation of the TA values of UEs using the first CBSD). Insome embodiment the power headroom values of UEs in communication withthe first CBSD that have a power headroom within a determined range ofthe average power headroom, and which also have a TA within thedetermined range of the average TA, are used in determining the coveragearea of the first CBSD (e.g., based on the standard deviation of thepower headroom values of UEs using the first CBSD). Operation proceedsstep 214 to step 215.

In step 215, the SAS is operated to estimate the coverage area of thefirst CBSD based on the determined timing advance and/or power headroom.Operation proceeds from step 215 to step 216.

In step 216, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to update cellcoverage area for the first CBSD based on the determined timing advanceand/or powerhead room. Operation proceeds from step 216 to step 218.

In step 218, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to reset the firstmatch counter to zero. Operation proceeds from step 218 to step 224.

In step 224, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to allocate resourcesto the first CBSD, e.g., determine the frequency bandwidth and/or thetransmission power allocation for the first CBSD (e.g., CBSD 1 102),based on the estimated first CBSD coverage area and estimated coveragearea of one or more other Citizen Broadband Radio Service Devices, e.g.,CBSD 2 104 of system 100. Operation proceeds from step 224 to step 226.

In step 226, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to communicate thedetermined allocated resources, e.g., frequency bandwidth and/ortransmission power allocations to Citizen Broadband Radio ServiceDevices, e.g., the first CBSD (CBSD 1 102) for which allocations havebeen determined. In some embodiments, multiple CBSD device allocationsare made in step 224 such as for example allocations for both CBSD 1 102and CBSD 2 104 of system 100 and then in step 226 the CBSD 1 102 andCBSD 2 104 allocations are respectively communicated to CBSD 1 102 andCBSD 2 104. Operation proceeds from step 226 to step 202 where the SAS,e.g., SAS 1 106, sets the first match counter to zero and the methodcontinues as previously described.

The second leg or loop of the method 200 which corresponds to theestimation of the CBRS network cell coverage for a second CBSD in thenetwork will now be discussed.

In step 228, a SAS managing the allocation of resources to a second CBSDsets a second match counter to zero. In the example of system 100, thesecond CBSD is CBSD 2 104 and the SAS managing the allocation ofresources to a second CBSD is the same SAS as is managing the allocationof resources to the first CBSD that is SAS 1 106. Operation proceedsfrom step 228 to step 230.

In step 230, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, receives user equipment device(UE) information including timing advance and/or power headroominformation from a second Citizen Broadband Radio Service Device, e.g.,CBSD 2 104. Operation proceeds from step 230 via connection node 232 tostep 234 shown on FIG. 2B.

In step 234, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to identify a userequipment device in communication with the second CBSD, (e.g., CBSD 2104) with the largest timing advance. The second CBSD similar to thefirst CBSD is in communication with a user equipment device when forexample the second CBSD receives control signals and/or pilot signalsfrom the user equipment device. That is the second CBSD could be butdoes not have to be in data communications with the user equipmentdevice to be in communication with the user equipment device. Theidentification of the user equipment device with the largest timingadvance in communication with the first CBSD may be, and in someembodiments is, determined based on the user equipment informationprovided by the second CBSD to the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106 device, whichincludes the timing advance and/or power headroom information. In theexample of system 100, UE 6 120, UE 7 122, UE 8 124, and UE 9 126 areall in communication with the second CBSD 2 104. In the example of FIG.12, UE 6 120 which is the UE which is located the furthest from the CBSD2 104 has the largest timing advance value which 58 (table 1200, row1210, column 1202). Operation proceeds from step 234 to decision step236.

In decision step 236, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to determineif the user equipment device identified as having the largest timingadvance in step 234 has the lowest power headroom of the UE devices incommunication with second CBSD, e.g., CBSD 2 104. If the UE identifiedas having the largest timing advance does have the lowest power headroomthen operation proceeds from decision step 236 to step 248. If the UEidentified as having the largest timing advance does not have the lowestpower headroom then operation proceeds from step 236 to step 238. Thedecision made in step 236 may be, and typically is, based upon the UEinformation received by the SAS from the second CBSD in step 230. In theexample of system 100, the UE 6 120, UE 7 122, UE 8 124, and UE 9 126are in communication with the second CBSD, e.g., CBSD 2 104. In theexample of FIG. 12, table 1200 shows UE 6 120 is not only the UE incommunication with CBSD 2 having the highest TA value but it is also theUE with the lowest powerhead room value which is 0 (table 1200, row1210, column 1206).

In step 248, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to estimate thecoverage range of the second CBSD based on the timing advance and/orpower headroom of the UE identified as having the largest timing advanceand which also has the lowest power headroom from the UE devices incommunications with the second CBSD, e.g., CBSD 2 104. Operationproceeds from step 248 to step 250.

In step 250, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106 is operated to update the cellcoverage area for the second CBSD, e.g., CBSD 2 104, based on the timingadvance and/or power headroom of the UE with the largest timing advanceand lowest power headroom. Operation proceeds from step 250 to step 252.

As previously explained when in decision step 236, the UE with thelargest timing advance does not have the lowest power headroom of theUEs in communication with the second CBSD then proceeds to step 238. Instep 238, the SAS increments second match counter by 1. Operationproceeds from step 238 to decision step 240.

In decision step 240, the SAS (e.g., SAS 1 106) is operated to determinewhether the second match counter has reached a retry limit. If the SASdetermines that the second match counter has reached a retry limit thenoperation proceeds to step 240 from decision step 242. If the SASdetermines that the second match counter has not reached a reached aretry limit then operation proceeds from decision step 240 viaconnection node B back to step 236 shown on FIG. 2A where the methodcontinues with the SAS receiving user equipment information includingtiming advance and/or power headroom information from the second CBSD(e.g., CBSD 2 104) and the processing proceeds as previously described.

In step 242, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to process thereceived UE information corresponding to the second CBSD to determinetiming advance and/or power headroom to be used in determining thesecond CBSD coverage estimation. The processing of step 242 in some, butnot necessarily all, embodiments includes filtering out the outlier UEtiming advance and power headroom values when determining the timingadvance and power headroom values to be used in estimating the secondCBSD's CBRS coverage area. Operation proceeds step 242 to step 243.

In step 243, the SAS is operated to estimate the coverage area of thesecond CBSD based on the determined timing advance and/or powerheadroom. Operation proceeds from step 243 to step 244.

In step 244, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to update cellcoverage area for the second CBSD based on the determined timing advanceand/or power headroom. Operation proceeds from step 244 to step 246.

In step 246, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to reset the secondmatch counter to zero. Operation proceeds from step 246 to step 252.

In step 252, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to allocate resourcesto the second CBSD, e.g., determine the frequency bandwidth and/or thetransmission power allocation for the second CBSD (e.g., CBSD 2 104),based on the estimated second CBSD coverage area and estimated coveragearea of one or more other Citizen Broadband Radio Service Devices, e.g.,CBSD 1 102 of system 100. Operation proceeds from step 252 to step 254.

In step 254, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to communicate thedetermined allocated resources, e.g., frequency bandwidth and/ortransmission power allocations to Citizen Broadband Radio ServiceDevices, e.g., the second CBSD (CBSD 2 104) for which allocations havebeen determined. In some embodiments, multiple CBSD device allocationsare made in step 252 such as for example allocations for both CBSD 2 104and CBSD 1 102 of system 100 and then in step 254 the CBSD 2 104 andCBSD 1 102 allocations are respectively communicated to CBSD 2 104 andCBSD 1 102. Operation proceeds from step 254 to step 228 shown on FIG.2A via connection node C where the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, sets the secondmatch counter to zero and the method continues as previously described.

Additional exemplary embodiments of the present invention in whichtiming advance (TA) and power headroom (PH) values of user equipmentdevices (UEs) are utilized to estimate the coverage of a particular CBSDwill now be discussed. In various embodiments, an SAS managing CBSDs ina CBRS network collects all the TA reports from all UEs. The SAS thenranks the TA values reported to a particular CBSD and ranks them fromhighest to lowest. The PH values from all UES for the same particularCBSD are received from the UEs, e.g., via the particular CBSD, and areranked from lowest to highest where PH values range from 0 to 23 with aPH value of ‘0’ meaning that there is no more uplink power left and a PHvalue ‘23’ meaning that that there is full power available in uplink.The following three scenarios will now be considered.

In the first scenario, the user equipment device with the highest timingadvance is also the user with the lowest power headroom. The SAS thenuses the highest timing advance value and/or lowest power headroom valuecollected for the particular CBSD to generate an estimated CBRS networkcell coverage area for the particular CBSD.

In the second scenario, the user with the highest timing advance is notthe user with the lowest power headroom. In this case, the userequipment device with the highest timing advance is eliminated orremoved from consideration in the process of determining an estimate ofthe CBRS network coverage area for the particular CBSD. In some but notall embodiments, the UE device with the lowest power headroom value isalso eliminated from consideration in the process of determining anestimate of the CBRS network coverage area for the particular CBSD. TheSAS after eliminating the user equipment device with the highest timingadvance value and in some embodiments the user equipment device with thelowest power headroom, identifies the user equipment device with thenext highest timing advance value and determines if it has the lowestpower headroom value of the remaining user equipment devices. When itdoes then the SAS uses the identified user equipment device's timingadvance value and power headroom value to generate an estimated CBRSnetwork cell coverage area for the particular CBSD. When it does not,the SAS repeats the process until the UE device with the highest timingadvance and the lowest power headroom are the same or a retry limit hasbeen reached. If a UE device with the highest timing advance and thelowest power headroom is identified before the retry limit is reachedthen the SAS uses the identified user equipment device's timing advancevalue and power headroom value to generate an estimated CBRS networkcell coverage area for the particular CBSD. When the retry limit isreached before a UE device with the highest timing advance and thelowest power headroom, the SAS generates an estimated CBRS network cellcoverage area for the particular CBSD based on a statistical analysis ofthe UE devices timing advance and power headroom values collected forall the UEs. In some embodiments, the retry limit is set so that allpossibilities are exhausted in which case at the very worst the last UEwhich has not been eliminated will be the UE with the highest timingadvance value and the lowest power headroom value. In such a case theretry limit is just a limit to retry until there is only a single UEwhich has not been eliminated. In other embodiments, the retry limitvalue is set so a fixed number or percentage of UEs are tested and/oreliminated such as for example, 10% of the UE devices from the set of UEdevices whose timing advance and power headroom values have beencollected for the particular CSBD. If the SAS is unable to identify a UEwith the highest timing advance and also having the lowest powerheadroom using the aforementioned process within the specified retrylimit then the SAS uses statistical analysis of the UE timing advanceand power headroom values collected for all UEs of the particular CBSDand/or all UEs for all CBSDs to determine and/or generate an estimatedCBRS network cell coverage area for the particular CBSD.

In this third scenario in which the SAS uses statistical analysis theSAS creates or generates a probability distribution of all timingadvance and power headroom values reported with all UEs in the network.The SAS then generates, e.g., calculates, average and standard deviationfor the data sets (region 1). The SAS determines or identifies the userequipment devices residing in average+3*standard deviation for timingadvance (region 2). The SAS also determines or identifies the userequipment devices residing in average−3*standard deviation for powerheadroom. The SAS then determines the user equipment devices whichreside in, i.e. included in, the first and second regions. The SAS usesthe timing advance and power headroom values from the UEs determined toreside in the first and second regions to determine and/or generate anestimated CBRS network cell coverage area for the particular CBSD. Insome embodiments, the SAS uses the timing advance value and powerheadroom value of the UE with the lowest power headroom to thendetermine or generate the estimated coverage area for the particularCBSD.

Once the CBSD has estimated the coverage area for the particular CBSDregardless of the scenario, the SAS determines resource allocation,e.g., frequency bandwidth or a transmission power level, for one or moreCBSDs it is managing in the CBRS network. The one or more CBSDstypically include the particular CBSD for which the estimated coveragearea was determined. The SAS then communicates the determined resourceallocation to the effected CBSDs.

FIG. 10 which illustrates the steps of a flowchart of a method 1000illustrates another exemplary method embodiment for determining theestimated coverage area of a CBSD managed by an SAS and determining andallocating resources based on the estimated coverage area of the CBSD.The method 1000 illustrates a method directed to the first scenariodiscussed above.

For explanatory purposes the exemplary method 1000 will be explained inconnection with the exemplary communications system 100 illustrated inFIG. 1 although it should be understand that the method may beimplemented using other systems and other system configurations thenthose illustrated in FIG. 1.

The method 1000 shown in FIG. 10 will now be discussed in detail. Themethod starts in start step 1002 shown on FIG. 10 with the devices incommunications system 100 being initialized and becoming operational.

Over the air communications links or channels are established betweenuser equipment devices (UEs) UE 1 110, UE 2 112, UE 3 114, UE 4 116, andUE 5 118 over which packets of data are transmitted from the CBSD 1 102to the UE devices in the cell 108. Over the air communications links orchannels are established between UE 6 120, UE 7 122, UE 8 124, and UE 9126 over which packets of data are transmitted from the CBSD 2 104 tothe UE devices in the cell 109. Operation proceeds from start step 1002to step 1004. In step 1004, a Spectrum Access System (SAS), e.g., SAS 1106 of system 100, is operated to receive from a Citizens BroadbandRadio Service Device (CBSD), e.g., CBSD 1 102, user equipment devicetiming advance reports for each user equipment device in communicationwith the CBSD, e.g., CBSD 1 102. The CBSD generates the timing advancevalues for each UE device based on timing of measurements of signalsreceived from each of the UE devices. The UE devices are wirelessterminals. Operation proceeds from step 1004 to step 1006.

In step 1006, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to receive from theCBSD user equipment device power headroom information for each userequipment device in communication with the CBSD, e.g., CBSD 1 102.Operation proceeds from step 1006 to step 1008.

In step 1008, the SAS, SAS 1 106, is operated to index the UEs (e.g.,assign a number to each UE) in communication with the CBSD, e.g., CBSD 1102. For example, in connection with system 100, UE 1 receives indexnumber 1, UE 2 receives index number 2, UE 3 receives index number 3, UE4 receives index number 4 and UE 5 receives index number 5. Operationproceeds from step 1008 to step 1010.

In step 1010, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to rank UEs fromhighest timing advance reported value to lowest timing advance reportedvalue. Operation proceeds from step 1010 to step 1012.

In step 1012, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to rank UEs fromlowest power headroom value to highest power headroom value. Operationproceeds from step 1012 to step 1014.

In step 1014, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, is operated to determine theuser equipment device in communication with the CBSD with the highesttiming advance reported value and lowest power headroom value. Operationproceeds from step 1014 to step 1016.

In step 1016, the SAS is operated to determine an estimated cellcoverage range in the Citizens Broadband Radio Service Network for theCBSD based on the highest advance reported value and/or the lowest powerheadroom value of the user equipment device in communication with theCBSD, e.g., CBSD 1 102, determined to have the highest timing advancereported value and lowest power headroom value. Operation proceeds fromstep 1016 to step 1018.

In step 1018, the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106 is operated to allocate resourcesto the CBSD, e.g., CBSD 1 102, e.g., the SAS determines frequencybandwidth and/or transmission power allocations for the CBSD, e.g., CBSD1 102, based on the estimated CBSD coverage area. The SAS may alsodetermine resource allocations based on the estimated CBSD coverage areafor other CBSDs it is managing in the CBRS nework such as for example insystem 100, the SAS 1 106 may also determine resource allocations forCBSD 2 104 based on the estimated CBSD coverage area for CBSD 1 102 suchas increasing the CBSD 2 104 power transmission level as there is a gapbetween the CBSD 1 102 and CBSD 2 104 cell range coverage as shown inFIG. 1. After the SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106, makes the CBSD resourceallocations it saves those allocations in memory along with the CBSDsestimated coverage range and settings. The SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106 alsocommunicates the determined CBSD(s) resource allocations to the CBSD(s)for which resource allocations have been made.

Operation proceeds from step 1018 back to step 1004 wherein the steps ofthe method are repeated. In some embodiments, the SAS performs the stepsof the method 1000 on a periodic basis to update the estimate of theCBSD coverage area and resource allocation. In some embodiments, the SASperforms the steps of the method whenever there is a change in theallocation of the frequency bandwidth or power transmission allocationto the CBSD or a neighboring CBSD. In some embodiments, the SAS performsthe steps of the method on an on-going basis and only stores thedetermined CBSD estimated coverage area if the estimated coverage areaincreases for the CBSD for the CBSD's current configuration, e.g., sameallocated frequency band and/or power transmission level. In such cases,the SAS will determine and maintain the largest coverage area for theCBSD at the particular configuration. In some embodiments, the SAS willskip or bypass the step of allocating resources for the CBSD if thechange in the estimated CBSD coverage range is not increased butdecreases or is not increased by an amount over a predeterminedthreshold.

FIG. 11, which comprises the combination of FIGS. 11A, 11B, andillustrates another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Itillustrates a method 1100 of estimating a CBSD's CBRS network cellcoverage range and allocating resources e.g., bandwidth frequency andtransmission power allocations, in a CBRS network. FIG. 11A illustratesthe steps of the first part of an exemplary method 1100 in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11B illustrates thesteps of the second part of an exemplary method 1100 in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11C illustrates the stepsof the third part of an exemplary method 1100 in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. The method 1100 illustrated in FIG.11 illustrates the steps of a method that address not only scenario 1discussed above but also scenario two and three discussed above.

For explanatory purposes the exemplary method 1100 will be explained inconnection with the exemplary communications system 100 illustrated inFIG. 1 although it should be understand that the method may beimplemented using other systems and other system configurations thenthose illustrated in FIG. 1.

The method 1100 shown in FIG. 11 will now be discussed in detail. Themethod starts in start step 1102 shown on FIG. 11A with the devices incommunications system 100 being initialized and becoming operational.

Over the air communications links or channels are established between UE1 110, UE 2 112, UE 3 114, UE 4 116, and UE 5 118 over which packets ofdata are transmitted from the CBSD 1 102 to the UE devices in the cell108. Over the air communications links or channels are establishedbetween UE 6 120, UE 7 122, UE 8 124, and UE 9 126 over which packets ofdata are transmitted from the CBSD 2 104 to the UE devices in the cell109. Operation proceeds from start step 1102 to step 1104.

In step 1104, a Spectrum Access System, e.g., SAS 1 106 of system 100,sets a first match counter to zero. Operation proceeds from step 1104 tostep 1106.

In step 1106, the SAS receives from a Citizens Broadband Radio ServiceDevice (CBSD) user equipment device timing advance reports for each UEin communication with the CBSD, e.g., CBSD 1 102. Operation proceedsfrom step 1106 to step 1108.

In step 1108, the SAS receives from the CBSD user equipment device powerheadroom information for each UE in communication with the CBSD, e.g.,CBSD 1 102. Operation proceeds from step 1108 to step 1110.

In step 1110, the SAS is operated to index the UEs in communication withthe CBSD for example by assigning them index numbers. Operation proceedsfrom step 1110 to step 1112.

In step 1112, the SAS is operated to generate a list ranking UEs fromhighest timing advance reported value to lowest timing advance reportedvalue. Operation proceeds from step 1112 to step 1114.

In step 1114, the SAS is operated to generate a list ranking UEs fromlowest power headroom value to highest power headroom value. Operationproceeds from step 1114 to step 1116.

In step 1116, the SAS is operated to determine the UE in communicationwith the CBSD with the highest timing advance reported value and UE incommunication with the CBSD with ranking with the lowest power headroomvalue. Operation proceeds from step 1116 to step 1118.

In decision step 1118, the SAS is operated to determine or decide if theUE ranked as having the largest timing advance value is also the UEranked as having the lowest power headroom value. When the SASdetermines or decides that the UE ranked with the largest timing advancevalue is the UE ranked with the lowest power headroom value operationproceeds from step 1118 to step 1120. When the SAS determines or decidesthat the UE ranked with the largest timing advance value is not the UEranked with the lowest power headroom value operation proceeds from step1118 to step 1124.

In step 1120, the SAS is operated to determine an CBSD estimated cellcoverage range based on the timing advance value and/or power headroomvalue of UE ranked with the largest timing advance and lowest powerheadroom value. Operation proceeds from step 1120 to step 1122.

In step 1122, the SAS is operated to allocate resources, e.g., determinefrequency bandwidth and/or transmission power allocations, to the CBSD,e.g., CBSD 1 102, and in some embodiments one or more other CBSDs suchas for example, CBSD 2 104. Operation proceeds from step 1122 to step1104 where the steps of the method are repeated for the same ordifferent CBSDs under the control and/or management of the SAS.

In step 1124, the SAS is operated to increment the first match counterby 1. Operation proceeds from step 1124 to step 1126.

In decision step 1126, the SAS decides or determines whether the firstmatch counter has reached a retry limit. The retry limit is aconfigurable number that determines the number of attempts that SAS willattempt to identify with the highest timing advance value and the lowestpower headroom value after eliminating UEs that do not meet thecriteria. As previously explained in connection with method 1000, thedifferent retry limits may be utilized such as for the retry limit maybe a number that is a percentage of the total number of UEs for whichthe SAS has received data from the CBSD such as 10%. When the SASdetermines or decides that the first match counter has not reached theretry limit operation proceeds from step 1126 via connection node D 1128to step 1132 shown on FIG. 11B. When the SAS determines or decides thatthe first match counter has reached the retry limit then operationproceeds from step 1126 via connection node E 1130 to step 1152 shown onFIG. 11C.

In step 1132, the SAS operated to remove or eliminate the UE with thelargest timing advance value from the list of UEs ranked by timingadvance values to generate a revised list of UEs ranked by timingadvance values. Operation proceeds from step 1132 to step 1134.

In step 1134, the SAS is operated to remove or eliminate the UE with thelargest timing advance value from the list of UEs ranked by powerheadroom to generate a revised list of UEs ranked by power headroomvalues. Operation proceeds from step 1134 to step 1136.

In some embodiments, the UE with the lowest powerhead value is alsoremoved or eliminated from the list of UEs ranked by timing advancevalues and the list of UEs ranked by power headroom values.

In step 1136, the SAS is operated to decide or determine if the UE inthe revised timing advanced list having the largest or highest timingadvance value is also the UE in the revised power headroom list havingthe lowest power headroom value. When the SAS decides or determines thatthe UE in the revised UE timing advance list having the largest orhighest timing advance value is also the UE in the revised UE powerheadroom list having the lowest power headroom value then operationproceeds from step 1136 to step 1138. When the SAS decides or determinesthat the UE in the revised UE timing advance list having the largest orhighest timing advance value is not also the UE in the revised UE powerheadroom list having the lowest power headroom value then operationproceeds from step 1136 to step 1144.

In step 1138, the SAS is operated to determine a CBSD estimated cellcoverage range based on timing advance and/or power headroom values ofthe UE ranked with largest timing advance value and lowest powerheadroom value in the revised UE timing advanced list and revised UEpower headroom list. Operation proceeds from step 1138 to step 1140.

In step 1140, the SAS is operated to allocate resources, e.g., determinefrequency bandwidth and/or transmission power allocations, to the CBSD,e.g., CBSD 1 102, and in some embodiments one or more other CBSDs suchas for example, CBSD 2 104. Operation proceeds from step 1140 to step1104 shown on FIG. 11A via connection node F 1142 where the steps whereprocessing continues and the steps of the method are repeated for thesame CBSD or a different CBSD under the control or management of theSAS.

In step 1144, the SAS is operated to increment the first match counterby 1. Operation proceeds from step 1144 to step 1146.

In decision step 1146, the SAS decides or determines whether the firstmatch counter has reached the retry limit. When the SAS determines ordecides that the first match counter has not reached the retry limitoperation proceeds from step 1146 to step 1148. When the SAS determinesor decides that the first match counter has reached the retry limit thenoperation proceeds from step 1146 via connection node E 1130 to step1152 shown on FIG. 11C.

In step 1148, the SAS is operated to remove or eliminate the UE with thelargest or highest timing advance value from the revised list of UEsranked by timing advance. Operation proceeds from step 1148 to step1150.

In step 1150, the SAS is operated to remove or eliminate the UE with thelargest or highest timing advance from the revised list of UEs ranked bytiming advance. Operation proceeds from step 1150 back to decision step1136 wherein processing continues as previously discussed.

In some embodiments, the UE with the lowest powerhead value is alsoremoved or eliminated from the list of UEs ranked by timing advancevalues and the list of UEs ranked by power headroom values.

When the retry limit has been reached processing proceeds from step 1146to step 1152 shown on FIG. 11C via connection node E as previouslydescribed. Steps 1152 to step 1166 are processing steps to performstatistical analysis that is used to determine an estimated coveragearea for the CBSD.

In step 1152, the SAS is operated to generate, e.g., calculate, anaverage UE timing advance value from the UE timing advance report valuesreceived by the SAS from the CBSD. In some embodiments, the UE timingadvance report values provided to the SAS from other CBSDs are alsoutilized to generate the average UE timing advance value. Operationproceeds from step 1152 to step 1154.

In step 1154, the SAS is operated to generate, e.g., calculate, anaverage UE power headroom value from the UE power headroom valuesreceived by the SAS from the CBSD. In some embodiments, the UE powerheadroom values provided to the SAS from other CBSDs are also utilizedto generate the average UE power headroom value. Operation proceeds fromstep 1154 to step 1156.

In step 1156, the SAS is operated to generate, e.g., calculate, astandard deviation for UE timing advance values received by the SAS fromthe CBSD. In embodiments in which the UE timing advance values for otherCBSDs was also utilized to generate the average UE timing advance valuethe standard deviation is for all UE timing advance values used togenerate the UE average timing advance value. Operation proceeds fromstep 1156 to step 1158.

In step 1158, the SAS is operated to generate, e.g., calculate, astandard deviation for UE power headroom values received by the SAS fromthe CBSD. In embodiments in which the UE power headroom values for otherCBSDs was also utilized to generate the average UE power headroom valuethe standard deviation is for all UE power headroom values used togenerate the UE average power headroom value. Operation proceeds fromstep 1158 to step 1160.

In step 1160, the SAS is operated to generate, e.g., calculate, thegenerated average timing advance+3*the standard deviation for timingadvance. Operation proceeds from step 1160 to step 1162.

In step 1162, the SAS is operated to generate, e.g., calculate, thegenerated average power headroom−3*the standard deviation for powerheadroom. Operation proceeds from step 1162 to step 1164.

In step 1164, the SAS is operated to determine UEs in communication withthe CBSD, e.g., CBSD 1 102, having (timing advance values greater than(average timing advance value+3*the standard deviation for timingadvance)) and also having (power headroom values less than (averagepower headroom−3*the standard deviation for power headroom)). Operationproceeds from step 1164 to step 1166.

In step 1166, the SAS is operated to determine the CBSD, e.g., CBSD 1102, estimated cell coverage range based on timing advance and/or powerheadroom of UEs determined as having (timing advance values greater than(average TA value+3*the standard deviation for timing advance)) and alsohaving (power headroom values less than (power headroom averagevalue−3*the standard deviation for power headroom)). In some embodiment,step 1166 includes sub-step 1168. In sub-step 1168, the SAS is operatedto generate an estimated cell coverage range for the CBSD using thetiming advance value and power headroom value corresponding to the UEwith the lowest power headroom value from the UEs determined as having(timing advance values greater than (average TA+3*the standard deviationfor timing advance)) and also having (power headroom values less than(average power headroom−3*the standard deviation for power headroom)).In alternative embodiment, the SAS is operated to generate an estimatedcell coverage range for the CBSD using the timing advance value andpower headroom value corresponding to the UE with the highest or largesttiming advance value from the UEs determined as having (timing advancevalues greater than (average TA+3*the standard deviation for timingadvance)) and also having (power headroom values less than (averagepower headroom−3*the standard deviation for power headroom)). In someembodiments, the subset of UEs that have been identified are once againranked by timing advance and power headroom values and the previouslydescribed steps of the process of trying to determine a UE ranked ashaving a highest or largest timing advance and also being ranked ashaving the lowest power headroom is attempted with the reduced subset.Operation proceeds from step 1166 to step 1170.

In step 1170, the SAS is operated to allocate resources, e.g., determinefrequency bandwidth and/or transmission power allocations, to the CBSD,e.g., CBSD 1 102, and in some embodiments one or more other CBSDs suchas for example, CBSD 2 104. Operation proceeds from step 1130 to step1104 shown on FIG. 11A via connection node F 1142 where the steps of themethod are repeated for the same or different CBSDs under the controland/or management of the SAS.

As described above in connection with the method 1000 and is alsoapplicable to some embodiments of the method 200, the SAS may also inconnection with method 1100 determine resource allocations based on theestimated CBSD coverage area for other CBSDs it is managing in the CBRSnework such as for example in system 100, the SAS 1 106 may alsodetermine resource allocations for CBSD 2 104 based on the estimatedCBSD coverage area for CBSD 1 102 such as increasing the CBSD 2 104power transmission level as there is a gap between the CBSD 1 102 andCBSD 2 104 cell range coverage as shown in FIG. 1. After the SAS, e.g.,SAS 1 106, makes the CBSD resource allocations it saves thoseallocations in memory along with the CBSDs estimated coverage range andsettings. The SAS, e.g., SAS 1 106 also communicates the determinedCBSD(s) resource allocations to the CBSD(s) for which resourceallocations have been made.

In some embodiments of the methods 200 and 1100, the SAS performs thesteps of the methods 200 or 1100 on a periodic basis to update theestimate of the CBSD coverage area and resource allocation. In someembodiments, the SAS performs the steps of the method whenever there isa change in the allocation of the frequency bandwidth or powertransmission allocation to the CBSD or a neighboring CBSD. In someembodiments, the SAS performs the steps of the method on an on-goingbasis and only stores the determined CBSD estimated coverage area if theestimated coverage area increases for the CBSD for the CBSD's currentconfiguration, e.g., same allocated frequency band and/or powertransmission level. In such cases, the SAS will determine and maintainthe largest coverage area for the CBSD at the particular configuration.In some embodiments, the SAS will skip or bypass the step of allocatingresources for the CBSD if the change in the estimated CBSD coveragerange is not increased but decreases or is not increased by an amountover a predetermined threshold.

In various embodiments of the invention, the CBSDs of the system obtainand rank the UE power headroom values of UEs in communication with theCBSD and provide the ranked UE power headroom values to the SAS which ismanaging the CBSD. In some embodiments, the CBSDs generate timingadvance value reports for the UEs in communication with the CBSD andrank the UE timing advance values and then provide the ranked UE timingadvance values to the SAS which is managing the CBSD.

LIST OF SET OF EXEMPLARY NUMBERED EMBODIMENTS Method Embodiment 1

A method of operating a Spectrum Access System (SAS), the methodcomprising: receiving, from a first Citizens Broadband Radio ServiceDevice (CBSD), first user equipment (UE) information including at leastone of timing advance or power headroom information for one or more UEsin communication with said first CBSD; estimating, based on the receivedfirst UE information, a first CBSD coverage area; and making a firstresource allocation to the first CBSD based on the estimated first CBSDcoverage area, said first resource allocation including an allocation ofat least one of a frequency bandwidth allocation or transmission powerallocation to the first CBSD.

Method Embodiment 2

The method of method embodiment 1, further comprising: prior toestimating the first CBSD coverage area, identifying the UE with thelargest timing advance in communication with the first CBSD; anddetermining if the UE in communication with the first CBSD having thelargest timing advance also has the lowest power headroom of the UEs forwhich power headroom information is provided in said first UEinformation.

Method Embodiment 3

The method of method embodiment 2, wherein estimating, based on thereceived first UE information, the first CBSD coverage area includes,when the first CBSD having the largest timing advance also has thelowest power headroom of the UEs for which power headroom information isprovided, using the timing advance of the UE with the largest timingadvance to estimate the first CBSD coverage area.

Method Embodiment 4

The method of method embodiment 3, wherein estimating, based on thereceived first UE information, the first CBSD coverage area includes,when the first CBSD having the largest timing advance also has thelowest power headroom of the UEs for which power headroom information isprovided, taking into consideration the lowest power headroominformation, in addition to the largest timing advance, when determiningthe first CBSD coverage area (e.g., if there is remaining power headroomthat can be taken into consideration to determine that the coverage areaof the first CBSD is larger than what would be indicated by simply thelargest timing advance was used).

Method Embodiment 5

The method of method embodiment 2, further comprising: in response todetermining the UE in communication with the first CBSD having thelargest timing advance does not also have the lowest power headroom,processing the UE information received from the first CBSD correspondingto multiple UEs to determine at least one of a timing advance or powerheadroom value to be used in determining the coverage area of the firstCBSD.

Method Embodiment 6

The method of method embodiment 5, wherein processing the UE informationreceived from the first CBSD corresponding to multiple UEs to determineat least one of a timing advance or power headroom value to be used indetermining the coverage area of the first CBSD includes performing atleast one of determining an average TA for UEs using the first CBSD ordetermining an average power headroom for UEs in communication with thefirst CBSD.

Method Embodiment 7

The method of method embodiment 6, wherein TAs of UEs in communicationwith the first CBSD having a TA within a determined range of the averageTA are used in determining the coverage area of the first CBSD (e.g.,based on the standard deviation of the TA values of UEs using the firstCBSD).

Method Embodiment 8

The method of method embodiment 7, wherein power headroom values of UEsin communication with the first CBSD that have a power headroom within adetermined range of the average power headroom, and which also have a TAwithin the determined range of the average TA, are used in determiningthe coverage area of the first CBSD (e.g., based on the standarddeviation of the power headroom values of UEs using the first CBSD).

Method Embodiment 9

The method of method embodiment 1, further comprising: receiving, from asecond CBSD, second user equipment (UE) information including at leastone of timing advance or power headroom information for one or more UEsin communication with said second CBSD; estimating, based on thereceived second UE information, a second CBSD coverage area; and make asecond resource allocation to the second CBSD based on the estimatedfirst CBSD coverage area and the estimated second CBSD coverage area,said second resource allocation including an allocation of at least oneof a frequency allocation or power allocation to the first CBSD.

System Embodiment 10

A Spectrum Access System (SAS) comprising: memory; an input/outputinterface including at least one receiver and at least one transmitter;one or more processors that control the SAS to: receive, from a firstCitizens Broadband Radio Service Device CBSD, first user equipment (UE)information including at least one of timing advance or power headroominformation for one or more UEs in communication with said first CBSD;estimate, based on the received first UE information, a first CBSDcoverage area; and make a first resource allocation to the first CBSDbased on the estimated first CBSD coverage area, said first resourceallocation including an allocation of at least one of a frequencybandwidth allocation or transmission power allocation to the first CBSD.

System Embodiment 11

The Spectrum Access System of system embodiment 10, wherein said one ormore processors control the SAS to: prior to estimating the first CBSDcoverage area, identify the UE with the largest timing advance incommunication with the first CBSD; and determine if the UE incommunication with the first CBSD having the largest timing advance alsohas the lowest power headroom of the UEs for which power headroominformation is provided in said first UE information.

System Embodiment 12

The Spectrum Access System of system embodiment 11, wherein said toestimate, based on the received first UE information, the first CBSDcoverage area includes, when the first CBSD having the largest timingadvance also has the lowest power headroom of the UEs for which powerheadroom information is provided, using the timing advance of the UEwith the largest timing advance to estimate the first CBSD coveragearea.

System Embodiment 13

The Spectrum Access System of system embodiment 12, wherein said toestimate, based on the received first UE information, the first CBSDcoverage area includes, when the first CBSD having the largest timingadvance also has the lowest power headroom of the UEs for which powerheadroom information is provided, taking into consideration the lowestpower headroom information, in addition to the largest timing advance,when determining the first CBSD coverage area (e.g., if there isremaining power headroom that can be taken into consideration todetermine that the coverage area of the first CBSD is larger than whatwould be indicated by simply the largest timing advance was used).

System Embodiment 14

The Spectrum Access System of system embodiment 11, wherein said one ormore processors control the SAS to process the UE information receivedfrom the first CBSD corresponding to multiple UEs to determine at leastone of a timing advance or power headroom value to be used indetermining the coverage area of the first CBSD in response todetermining the UE in communications with the CBSD having the largesttiming advance does not also have the lowest power headroom.

System Embodiment 15

The Spectrum Access System of system embodiment 14, wherein saidprocessing the UE information received from the first CBSD correspondingto multiple UEs to determine at least one of a timing advance or powerheadroom value to be used in determining the coverage area of the firstCBSD includes performing at least one of determining an average TA forUEs in communication with the first CBSD or determining an average powerheadroom for UEs in communication with the first CBSD.

System Embodiment 16

The Spectrum Access System of system embodiment 15, wherein TAs of UEsin communication with the first CBSD having a TA within a determinedrange of the average TA are used in determining the coverage area of thefirst CBSD (e.g., based on the standard deviation of the TA values ofUEs using the first CBSD).

System Embodiment 17

The Spectrum Access System of system embodiment 16, wherein powerheadroom values of UEs in communication with the first CBSD that have apower headroom within a determined range of the average power headroom,and which also have a TA within the determined range of the average TA,are used in determining the coverage area of the first CBSD (e.g., basedon the standard deviation of the power headroom values of UEs using thefirst CBSD).

System Embodiment 18

The Spectrum Access System of system embodiment 10, wherein said one ormore processors controls the SAS to:

receive, from a second CBSD, second user equipment (UE) informationincluding at least one of timing advance or power headroom informationfor one or more UEs in communication with said second CBSD; estimate,based on the received second UE information, a second CBSD coveragearea; and make a second resource allocation to the second CBSD based onthe estimated first CBSD coverage area and the estimated second CBSDcoverage area, said second resource allocation including an allocationof at least one of a frequency allocation or power allocation to thefirst CBSD.

Computer Readable Medium Embodiment 19

A non-transitory computer readable medium including a first set ofcomputer executable instructions which when executed by a processor of aSpectrum Access System (SAS) device cause the SAS device to perform thesteps of: receiving, from a first Citizens Broadband Radio ServiceDevice (CBSD), first user equipment (UE) information including at leastone of timing advance or power headroom information for one or more UEsin communication with said first CBSD; estimating, based on the receivedfirst UE information, a first CBSD coverage area; and making a firstresource allocation to the first CBSD based on the estimated first CBSDcoverage area, said first resource allocation including an allocation ofat least one of a frequency bandwidth allocation or transmission powerallocation to the first CBSD.

Computer Readable Medium Embodiment 20

The non-transitory computer readable medium of computer readable mediumembodiment 19, wherein estimating, based on the received first UEinformation, the first CBSD coverage area includes, when the first CBSDhaving the largest timing advance also has the lowest power headroom ofthe UEs for which power headroom information is provided, using thetiming advance of the UE with the largest timing advance to estimate thefirst CBSD coverage area.

Method Embodiment 21

The method of method embodiment 1, further comprising: communicating theresource allocation to the first CBSD.

System Embodiment 22

The Spectrum Access System of system embodiment 10, wherein said one ormore processors further control the SAS to communicate the resourceallocation to the first CBSD.

The techniques of various embodiments may be implemented using software,hardware and/or a combination of software and hardware. Variousembodiments are directed to apparatus, e.g., CBSD, user equipmentdevices, SAS, Serving Gateway, PDN gateway, servers, mobility managemententities, network nodes, and/or network equipment devices. Variousembodiments are also directed to methods, e.g., method of controllingand/or operating CBSD devices, network nodes, SAS, nodes, servers, userequipment devices, controllers, mobility management entities or networkequipment devices. Various embodiments are also directed to machine,e.g., computer, readable medium, e.g., ROM, RAM, CDs, hard discs, etc.,which include machine readable instructions for controlling a machine toimplement one or more steps of a method. The computer readable mediumis, e.g., non-transitory computer readable medium.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in theprocesses and methods disclosed is an example of exemplary approaches.Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific orderor hierarchy of steps in the processes and methods may be rearrangedwhile remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Theaccompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in asample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order orhierarchy presented. In some embodiments, one or more processors areused to carry out one or more steps of the each of the describedmethods.

In various embodiments each of the steps or elements of a method areimplemented using one or more processors. In some embodiments, each ofelements or steps are implemented using hardware circuitry.

In various embodiments devices, servers, nodes and/or elements describedherein are implemented using one or more components to perform the stepscorresponding to one or more methods, for example, message reception,signal processing, sending, comparing, determining and/or transmissionsteps. Thus, in some embodiments various features are implemented usingcomponents or in some embodiments logic such as for example logiccircuits. Such components may be implemented using software, hardware ora combination of software and hardware. Many of the above describedmethods or method steps can be implemented using machine executableinstructions, such as software, included in a machine readable mediumsuch as a memory device, e.g., RAM, floppy disk, etc. to control amachine, e.g., general purpose computer with or without additionalhardware, to implement all or portions of the above described methods,e.g., in one or more devices, servers, nodes and/or elements.Accordingly, among other things, various embodiments are directed to amachine-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer readablemedium, including machine executable instructions for causing a machine,e.g., processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of thesteps of the above-described method(s). Some embodiments are directed toa device, e.g., a controller, including a processor configured toimplement one, multiple or all of the steps of one or more methods ofthe invention.

In some embodiments, the processor or processors, e.g., CPUs, of one ormore devices, e.g., communications nodes such as CBSD, UEs, and SAS areconfigured to perform the steps of the methods described as beingperformed by the CBSD, UEs, SAS. The configuration of the processor maybe achieved by using one or more components, e.g., software components,to control processor configuration and/or by including hardware in theprocessor, e.g., hardware components, to perform the recited stepsand/or control processor configuration. Accordingly, some but not allembodiments are directed to a device, e.g., CBSD, UE, SAS, with aprocessor which includes a component corresponding to each of the stepsof the various described methods performed by the device in which theprocessor is included. In some but not all embodiments a device, e.g.,CBSD, UE, SAS, includes a controller corresponding to each of the stepsof the various described methods performed by the device in which theprocessor is included. The components may be implemented using softwareand/or hardware.

Some embodiments are directed to a computer program product comprising acomputer-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer-readablemedium, comprising code for causing a computer, or multiple computers,to implement various functions, steps, acts and/or operations, e.g. oneor more steps described above. Depending on the embodiment, the computerprogram product can, and sometimes does, include different code for eachstep to be performed. Thus, the computer program product may, andsometimes does, include code for each individual step of a method, e.g.,a method of controlling a CBSD, UE, SAS. The code may be in the form ofmachine, e.g., computer, executable instructions stored on acomputer-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer-readablemedium, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory) orother type of storage device. In addition to being directed to acomputer program product, some embodiments are directed to a processorconfigured to implement one or more of the various functions, steps,acts and/or operations of one or more methods described above.Accordingly, some embodiments are directed to a processor, e.g., CPU,configured to implement some or all of the steps of the methodsdescribed herein. The processor may be for use in, e.g., acommunications device such as a CBSD, UE or other device described inthe present application.

Numerous additional variations on the methods and apparatus of thevarious embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled inthe art in view of the above description. Such variations are to beconsidered within the scope. Numerous additional embodiments, within thescope of the present invention, will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art in view of the above description and the claims whichfollow. Such variations are to be considered within the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a Spectrum Access System(SAS), the method comprising: receiving, from a first Citizens BroadbandRadio Service Device (CBSD), first user equipment (UE) informationincluding at least one of timing advance or power headroom informationfor one or more UEs in communication with said first CBSD; estimating,based on the received first UE information, a first CBSD coverage area;making a first resource allocation to the first CBSD based on theestimated first CBSD coverage area, said first resource allocation beinga transmission power allocation to the first CBSD; and prior toestimating the first CBSD coverage area, identifying the UE with thelargest timing advance in communication with the first CBSD.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein estimating, based on the received first UEinformation, the first CBSD coverage area includes, when the identifiedUE with the largest timing advance in communication with the first CBSDalso has the lowest power headroom of the UEs for which power headroominformation is provided, using the power headroom of the identified UEwith the largest timing advance to estimate the first CBSD coveragearea.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein estimating, based on thereceived first UE information, the first CBSD coverage area furtherincludes, when the identified UE with the largest timing advance alsohas the lowest power headroom of the UEs for which power headroominformation is provided, taking into consideration the largest timingadvance in addition to, the lowest power headroom information whendetermining the first CBSD coverage area.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising: wherein said first UE information including at leastone of timing advance or power headroom information for one or more UEsin communication with said first CBSD includes information correspondingto multiple UEs; when the identified UE in communication with the firstCBSD having the largest timing advance does not also have the lowestpower headroom of the UEs for which power headroom information isprovided in said first UE information, processing the first UEinformation received from the first CBSD corresponding to multiple UEsto determine at least one of a timing advance or power headroom value tobe used in determining the coverage area of the first CBSD.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein processing the first UE information receivedfrom the first CBSD corresponding to multiple UEs to determine at leastone of a timing advance or power headroom value to be used indetermining the coverage area of the first CBSD includes performing atleast one of determining an average timing advance for UEs using thefirst CBSD or determining an average power headroom for UEs incommunication with the first CBSD.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereintiming advances (TAs) of UEs in communication with the first CBSD havinga timing advance (TA) within a determined range of the average timingadvance are used in determining the coverage area of the first CBSD. 7.The method of claim 6, wherein power headroom values of UEs incommunication with the first CBSD that have a power headroom within adetermined range of the average power headroom, and which also have a TAwithin the determined range of the average TA, are used in determiningthe coverage area of the first CBSD.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving, from a second CBSD, second user equipment (UE)information including at least one of timing advance or power headroominformation for one or more UEs in communication with said second CBSD;estimating, based on the received second UE information, a second CBSDcoverage area; and making a second resource allocation to the secondCBSD based on the estimated first CBSD coverage area and the estimatedsecond CBSD coverage area, said second resource allocation including anallocation of at least one of a frequency bandwidth allocation ortransmission power allocation to the second CBSD.
 9. The method of claim1, further comprising: receiving, from a second CBSD, second userequipment (UE) information including at least one of timing advance orpower headroom information for one or more UEs in communication withsaid second CBSD; estimating, based on the received second UEinformation, a second CBSD coverage area; and making a second resourceallocation to the first CBSD based on the estimated first CBSD coveragearea and the estimated second CBSD coverage area, said second resourceallocation including an allocation of at least one of a frequencybandwidth allocation or transmission power allocation to the first CBSD.10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: communicating the firstresource allocation to the first CBSD.
 11. A Spectrum Access System(SAS) comprising: memory; an input/output interface including at leastone receiver and at least one transmitter; one or more processors thatcontrol the SAS to: receive, from a first Citizens Broadband RadioService Device (CBSD), first user equipment (UE) information includingat least one of timing advance or power headroom information for one ormore UEs in communication with said first CBSD; estimate, based on thereceived first UE information, a first CBSD coverage area; make a firstresource allocation to the first CBSD based on the estimated first CBSDcoverage area, said first resource allocation being a transmission powerallocation to the first CBSD; and prior to estimating the first CBSDcoverage area, identify the UE with the largest timing advance incommunication with the first CBSD.
 12. The Spectrum Access System ofclaim 11, wherein said to estimate, based on the received first UEinformation, the first CBSD coverage area includes, when the identifiedUE having the largest timing advance also has the lowest power headroomof the UEs for which power headroom information is provided, using thepower headroom information of the identified UE with the largest timingadvance to estimate the first CBSD coverage area.
 13. The SpectrumAccess System of claim 12, wherein said to estimate, based on thereceived first UE information, the first CBSD coverage area includes,when the identified UE having the largest timing advance also has thelowest power headroom of the UEs for which power headroom information isprovided, taking into consideration the largest timing advance, inaddition to, the lowest power headroom information, when determining thefirst CBSD coverage area.
 14. The Spectrum Access System of claim 11,wherein said first UE information including at least one of timingadvance or power headroom information for one or more UEs incommunication with said first CBSD includes information corresponding tomultiple UEs; wherein said one or more processors control the SAS toprocess the UE information received from the first CBSD corresponding tomultiple UEs to determine at least one of a timing advance or powerheadroom value to be used in determining the coverage area of the firstCBSD in response to determining the UE in communications with the firstCBSD having the largest timing advance does not also have the lowestpower headroom.
 15. The Spectrum Access System of claim 14, wherein saidprocessing the first UE information received from the first CBSDcorresponding to multiple UEs to determine at least one of a timingadvance or power headroom value to be used in determining the coveragearea of the first CBSD includes performing at least one of determiningan average timing advance for UEs in communication with the first CBSDor determining an average power headroom for UEs in communication withthe first CBSD.
 16. The Spectrum Access System of claim 15, whereintiming advances of UEs in communication with the first CBSD having atiming advance (TA) within a determined range of the average timingadvance are used in determining the coverage area of the first CBSD. 17.The Spectrum Access System of claim 16, wherein power headroom values ofUEs in communication with the first CBSD that have a power headroomwithin a determined range of the average power headroom, and which alsohave a timing advance within the determined range of the average timingadvance, are used in determining the coverage area of the first CBSD.18. The Spectrum Access System of claim 11, wherein said one or moreprocessors controls the SAS to: receive, from a second CBSD, second userequipment (UE) information including at least one of timing advance orpower headroom information for one or more UEs in communication withsaid second CBSD; estimate, based on the received second UE information,a second CBSD coverage area; and make a second resource allocation tothe second CBSD based on the estimated first CBSD coverage area and theestimated second CBSD coverage area, said second resource allocationincluding an allocation of at least one of a frequency bandwidthallocation or transmission power allocation to the second CBSD.
 19. TheSpectrum Access System of claim 11, wherein said one or more processorscontrols the SAS to: receive, from a second CBSD, second user equipment(UE) information including at least one of timing advance or powerheadroom information for one or more UEs in communication with saidsecond CBSD; estimate, based on the received second UE information, asecond CBSD coverage area; and make a second resource allocation to thefirst CBSD based on the estimated first CBSD coverage area and theestimated second CBSD coverage area, said second resource allocationincluding an allocation of at least one of a frequency bandwidthallocation or transmission power allocation to the first CBSD.
 20. Anon-transitory computer readable medium including a first set ofcomputer executable instructions which when executed by a processor of aSpectrum Access System (SAS) device cause the SAS device to perform thesteps of: receiving, from a first Citizens Broadband Radio ServiceDevice (CBSD), first user equipment (UE) information including at leastone of timing advance or power headroom information for one or more UEsin communication with said first CBSD; estimating, based on the receivedfirst UE information, a first CBSD coverage area; making a firstresource allocation to the first CBSD based on the estimated first CBSDcoverage area, said first resource allocation being a transmission powerallocation to the first CBSD; and wherein said estimating, based on thereceived first UE information, the first CBSD coverage area includes,when the first CBSD having the largest timing advance also has thelowest power headroom of the UEs for which power headroom information isprovided, using the power headroom of the UE with the largest timingadvance to estimate the first CBSD coverage area.